3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-D-glucose

3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, also known as peracetylated azido sugar, is a versatile derivative of D-glucosamine. It plays a crucial role in research due to its involvement in glycan labeling and glycosylation studies. Its primary application lies in bioorthogonal chemistry, where its azide functionality provides a reactive site for click chemistry reactions. This property enables the selective labeling of azido-modified glycans through copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Researchers commonly use this compound to explore glycosylation pathways and to visualize the distribution and dynamics of glycoconjugates on cell surfaces. By incorporating this sugar into glycoproteins or glycolipids, researchers can visualize and track glycans in live cells, furthering our understanding of cellular signaling and interactions. Additionally, this molecule is employed in metabolic labeling, enabling the study of glycan biosynthesis and turnover. Its peracetylated structure allows the molecule to permeate cell membranes efficiently, making it particularly useful for probing intracellular glycosylation processes. Through its targeted incorporation into the cellular glycome, 3,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-D-glucose aids in the identification of glycoproteins, facilitating studies on the relationship between glycosylation and cell signaling pathways.